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11/21/2007

Record Grad School Applications Fall 2007

State University System of Florida sees record gain
in applications for admission to graduate school

TALLAHASSEE – Chancellor Mark B. Rosenberg announced today that the 11 institutions of the State University System of Florida received a record number of applications for graduate school for the fall 2007 semester.

For the fall semester, 54,065 individuals applied to graduate school, up from 47,674 in 2006, an increase of 13.4 percent. Entering students are up 7 percent.

“This is another indication that a growing number of Floridians want to extend their education beyond the baccalaureate degree,” Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg noted that the fall 2007 gains are unprecedented. “This is the largest increase in graduate school applications, in both number and percentage, as far back as our records go,” Rosenberg said.

Rosenberg pointed out that the increase in applications and enrollment follows an increase in the Florida unemployment rate. “Our universities are helping people in the Florida workforce prepare for career changes and new opportunities,” he said. “By giving them richer knowledge and training, we are also helping our students insulate themselves against uncertainty in the job market.”

The acceptance rate of graduate-school applicants was down, from 56 percent to 53 percent. “Though we admitted more students this fall, we could not accept everyone,” Rosenberg said. “We don"t have the capacity.”

Rosenberg said this indicates that the universities should expand graduate school offerings and capacity to meet a growing demand for post-baccalaureate education. He said the Board of Governors would take this trend into consideration as it continues its Forward by Design initiative to map the future of higher education in this state.

Rosenberg also announced that overall enrollment is up 2 percent this fall, to 299,570 students. This includes a 1-percent gain in community-college transfers.

The Board of Governors is the constitutional body created by voters in 2002 to guide the State University System of Florida.